(A&E)
It’s not often that a channel will cancel its highest-rated series. Less than a month ago, A&E was touting the Live PD TV show’s great ratings. Today, the cable channel cancelled the series — at least for now.
Debuting in October 2016, Live PD provides a unique look at the policing of America. The series follows diverse police departments from across the country in real-time as they patrol their communities. Using dash cams along with fixed rig and handheld cameras, the series captures the work of urban and rural police forces on a typical Friday and Saturday night.
Host Dan Abrams and commentators Tom Morris Jr. and Sergeant Sean “Sticks” Larkin offer insights into what audiences are seeing in real-time, bouncing between the featured police departments and offering an inside look at each live episode.
In early May, Live PD was picked up for 160 additional episodes and was scheduled to air its 300th episode on Saturday, June 6th.
On Friday, June 5th, It was announced the series had been pulled off the air for the weekend. “Out of respect for the families of George Floyd and others who have lost their lives, in consultation with the departments we follow, and in consideration for the safety of all involved, we have made the decision not to broadcast Live PD this weekend,” A&E said in a statement.
— Live PD on A&E (@OfficialLivePD) June 1, 2020
Now, the series has been cancelled though it seems as though the door may be left open for the show’s return at some point. The decision came from both A&E and MGM’s Big Fish Entertainment, which produces the show. “This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD,” the network said in a statement to Deadline. “Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.”
Cancelling the program was likely an unpleasant decision for both parties due to the loss of revenue. Airing for three hours on both Friday and Saturday nights, Live PD was a big draw for A&E in the ratings. According to the cable channel, the program was the top-rated show on regular cable for those nights in 2019 and the numbers have gotten even better since the pandemic has caused live sports games to be suspended.
Last night, host Abrams had reassured fans that the show would return.
To all of you asking whether #LivePD coming back. . .The answer is yes. All of us associated with the show are as committed to it as ever. We are still discussing some specifics but I want to assure the #LivePDNation that we are not abandoning you.
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 10, 2020
And to be clear as I have said on my @SXMPOTUS show, you can both support the important and impactful peaceful protests and support the overwhelming majority of police officers doing the noble and difficult work they do every day.
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 10, 2020
Today, Abrams communicated that the series would not return after all.
Shocked & beyond disappointed about this. To the loyal #LivePDNation please know I, we, did everything we could to fight for you, and for our continuing effort at transparency in policing. I was convinced the show would go on. . More to come. . .https://t.co/WWh7fDrig2
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 11, 2020
I am hoping that this continues with @TomMorrisJr1 https://t.co/7GxeXNZYP6
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 11, 2020
I am going to finally go to sleep but I just want to say one more thing to the #LivePDNation. Thank you for making this so much more than a tv show. You created a huge community of kind, caring people with whom I hope to stay in touch with in this next chapter. More tomorrow. . .
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 11, 2020
Cops, a long-running program on Paramount Network, has also been cancelled.
What do you think? Did you watch Live PD on A&E? Do you think that this series should return at some point?
I am outraged that I don’t have the right to choose what I like to watch. What happened to change the channel if you don’t like what is airing. This is so crazy. If people run they most likely have something to hide. Not all police are bad. I haven’t seen anyone beaten up on this show.
My kids and I love to watch Live PD. We get to see what takes place behind the scenes. The policemen and women are shown being professional and show that they care about their communities. Bring back Live PD.
More righteous garbage people and about. It shows getting canceled because these self proclaimed righteous for the people are claiming negativity. Sad world we live in now where no one can be themselves if they’re good people
Stand your ground. Most Police and Rescuer’s are Good People.
Nobody remembers the Good they do for Communities only the bad of a very few.
Most people just see people. Everyone I think is optimistic, therefore they always see the good in people until proven otherwise.
Please don’t let the Actions of the Few influence the Actions of the many.
PLEASE GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE BEFORE YOU JUDGE THEM.
This is my last interaction with A&E network (add here that this was my most watched channel for all shows.) The Live PD show helped so many people see what our police officers go through on a daily basis. The cancellation of this show has/had nothing to do with racial issues. I’m tired of companies sucking up to BLM & other radicals thinking if they agree with them that they will be thought of as “good businesses”. I will be watching closely to not purchase, watch TV shows or support any businesses that continue this nonsense. I must add I… Read more »
This is all part of an agenda to divide and conquer. There are people that are fighting to have control over all of us no matter what color and if you don’t agree with them you’re the enemy.
Hi Dia :)…that’s just terrifying, hmm? I can’t even wrap my head around that possibility – at a complete loss for words. 🙁
I don’t think anyone could of said it better! Great job Carma!
Sad to see A&E pull Live PD off the air. I will not watch any programming on your station. Nothing!!!!!! A&E I guess thinks the show gives blacks worse treatment than whites and Mexicans. If they watched the show, they would show all are treated the same. It’s a shame that they are afraid to show what police officers really have to deal with. Like I said, A&E is completely off my tv.
I am so disappointed that this show was cancelled. It was such a good show. it’s outrageous that it is cancelled over the death of one man dead at the hands of one bad apple in the police force. I hope it comes back on.
Will be cancelling A and. Only show that I watched on it
Absolutely it should return. Should’ve never been cancelled. It’s an outrage that what’s going on in this country over the senseless murder of a man by a BAD cop. The rest of the police and their followers in the country are penalized by the actions of an out of control group of rioters.
I can’t say what I really want to say on here but you should get the message.
Bring our favorite show “LIVE P.D. back soon!
Im glad they are cancelled! They do NOT represent the truth, and the death of that young man is not the only story they have inflated, misrepresented and inaccurately reported for views. Maia Sykes was reported kidnapped by her mother, Zeporah Sykes. Lies. PD live represented her as a criminal and even lied and said she was “divorced” from the father, when in fact they were never married. They didn’t bother to reveal that Zeporah had MANY restraining orders against the father for domestic violence against her and sexual abuse of that same child that they helped “reunite” the father… Read more »
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE bring Live PD back SOON
Hopefully another network brings this show back..look forward to watching live pd…please bring to another ntwork
This is really sad! To cancel this vital show is shocking, people need to see how hard officers work to keep the community safe! hopefully another network will pick this show up,not all officers are bad people!!
Please bring this show back. It was a staple in our home for the family to watch together.
I am so disappointed that this show is being canceled